Yesterday was the first snowfall of the season here in zone 4b. Just a few miles to the north, they had over a foot of snow.

Here in Minneapolis, though, only around five inches fell. Schools remained open and life shuffled onward, albeit at a slow pace.

Trees that had yet to fully drop their leaves have done so overnight. Golden brown leaves flutter over a fresh bed of white earth as the winds whistled down from the north and sends them dancing across the lawns. Although the landscape still has the feel of fall, winter’s snowy hand has been raised. A warning.

It’s coming.

Garden regrets and triumphs alike will sleep beneath their winter blankets of white.